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On Wednesday, the school board appointed Kyle Cook, a 2000 graduate of the school and former player, as the head football coach at its monthly meeting.

Susquehanna co-sponsors football with Blue Ridge High School.

"Having played here makes this a great opportunity to coach the team I played for and the team I watched since I was in high school," said Cook, 31, who is a substitute teacher at both Susquehanna and Blue Ridge High Schools. "Now with my work career in teaching that really offers me an opportunity to coach. And being at both schools right now allows me to stay in contact with the kids and encourage them to come out for the team and get into the weight room."

Cook, who is a graduate of Wilkes University and SUNY Oneonta, served as an assistant coach at Susquehanna last season. This will be his first head coaching assignment and he will be the Sabers' third coach in three seasons.

John Salinkas coached one season after he replaced Dick Bagnall, who guided the team to the District 2 Class AA playoffs in 2010 during his second stint with the program.

Susquehanna went 3-7 last season in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division III.

"He's a really nice young man who is willing to take on the challenge," Susquehanna principal Mark Gerchman said. "He thought his way through this. The other coaches are really excited about him having the opportunity. I had him as a student and he is a great young guy."

As a player, Cook was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Sabers during a successful period in the program's history that included a trip to the Eastern Conference Class A championship game in his senior season. Susquehanna also reached the District 2 Class A playoffs in his sophomore season.

"I plan on sitting down with coach Bagnall and talking over some things," Cook said. "I grew up with the triple veer offense, so that is what I know. Right now, my main goal is to maintain that co-sponsorship with Blue Ridge, keeping it alive and well. That is something I want to take advantage of and keep going strong.

"The kids have been in the weight room all winter. We had a lot of injuries last season and we are encouraging them to get in the weight room because the only way to cut down on those injuries is to get bigger and stronger."

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